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1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.1.2Winter Driving Tipshttp://www.everythingmotoring.com/winter-driving-tips/
Fri, 12 May 2017 13:05:22 +0000http://217.199.187.199/everythingmotoring.com/?p=325I don’t know about you but when September and October arrive I always say to myself “Right, this year I am going to do things properly and get totally prepared for winter” as regards to my car – which obviously never happens and ends up with an angry boss on more than one morning from […]

]]>I don’t know about you but when September and October arrive I always say to myself “Right, this year I am going to do things properly and get totally prepared for winter” as regards to my car – which obviously never happens and ends up with an angry boss on more than one morning from being late! So, in light of not just my experiences but I am sure every other person reading this, here are a few tips that I know will have you smiling as you drive by that person with a spade trying to dig their car out of the snow whilst you have the heat blasting in your car – unless you really want to be late at which point you can help that person, your call!

As much as the motoring industry can be fun and exciting we here at Everything Motoring Ireland obviously take Health & Safety very seriously so we decided to cover 7 different topics to cover before venturing off in to the snow and ice!

1. TYRES – No less than 2mm tread is recommended guys with 3mm being preferred. Havent a clue what this means? Simply go to your local tyre garage and ask them for winter tyres with the sizes above and they will fix you up!

2. ELECTRICS AND BATTERY LIFE – This is a big deal guys! You need your electrics for heat and visibility. The most important thing is not to use wipers, lights and heating if they aren’t needed. Don’t blast the heating either, keep it on a constant low level if you are using it. Rear window heater is a killer also, kind of like the emergen heater or tumble drier at home, major battery drainage. If your motor is sitting for more than 24-48 hours go out and turn it on for about 5 minutes just to keep the battery awake. If your motor isn’t starting and “ticking over” turn it for 5 seconds then leave it for 30 seconds and try again.

3. VISIBILITY – Clean is the word here. Obviously when you are out driving around there will be a lot more dirt, muck and grit about than normal to the extent that you might need to clean your head lamps after each journey AND don’t forget to clean your registration plate otherwise you could have a fine coming your way! You also automatically assume to clear the snow off your car to drive but don’t forget your head lamps so your beams aren’t hindered in any way. Fog lamps – only use them if visibility is really bad as they can dazzle other motorists.

4. ANTI-FREEZE – Point one, anti-freeze costs a few quid, a blocked engine due to being frozen over will cost hundreds. Change your anti-freeze at least every 2 years to keep it fresh. Using a 50/50 mix with water should work perfect.

5. DRIVING IN SNOW AND ICE – Wear comfortable and dry footwear to avoid slippage, put the yoke in to 2nd gear and drive off slowly to avoid spinning the alloy wheels, avoid stopping half way up hills, brake even more than normal coming down hills, give plenty of space between you and the car in front and finally brake gently and if you start to skid take your foot off the brake and put it out of gear.

6. VISION – Ensure your windscreen is clean both inside AND outside, dazzling sun in the winter can be really hazardous! Use your air conditioning for less condensation and quicker demisting. Keep checks on your wiper blades, if they start to rub get a new set, they only cost a few quid. When switching your engine off for the day make sure the wipers are switched off and not in the middle of your windscreen because if they do freeze over they are stuck right in the middle of your windscreen before driving again until they thaw. DO NOT put anti-freeze in your wiper washers as it can damage the paintwork on your motor.

7. AND FINALLY BEFORE YOU LEAVE – Time! Give yourself plenty of it to prepare your motor otherwise you are about to start rushing on the wintery roads because you took ages waiting on your motor defrosting and warming up! Plan your route, all major roads should be gritted so try and stick to them and finally always put safety over punctuality, no doubt you are going to be late at some point in the bad weather so don’t go spinning your wheels trying to get there asap! If you do end up off the road be sure to speak to a reputable accident repair centre.

Halfords have written an article “Driving on Ice” which gives some additional advice. You can read it here.

]]>Irish Number Plates Explainedhttp://www.everythingmotoring.com/irish-number-plates-explained/
http://www.everythingmotoring.com/irish-number-plates-explained/#respondFri, 12 May 2017 12:53:07 +0000http://217.199.187.199/everythingmotoring.com/?p=310As a child who lived in county Antrim my family would have took regular trips to our caravan in county Donegal and the odd holiday to county Dublin. Naturally apart from the “are we nearly there yet?” headache we gave our parents we played the “guess the number plate” game from the used cars in […]

]]>As a child who lived in county Antrim my family would have took regular trips to our caravan in county Donegal and the odd holiday to county Dublin. Naturally apart from the “are we nearly there yet?” headache we gave our parents we played the “guess the number plate” game from the used cars in Ireland, guessing the county the car was from. Being competitive in nature I always made a point of knowing which county each so I could always beat my siblings – early tell tale signs of a sales executive I suppose!

So, Irish number plates have had 3 different periods of change. Before 1987 they took the format of 3 numbers and 3 letters, 123 ABC for example.

Then in 1987 came the famous 92-D-12345 registrations. At first glance I never had a clue what it meant but when you actually understand how it works it is quite clever…and useful! Okay so the first 2 digits denoted the year of the vehicle, in this case the “92” denotes the vehicle was registered in 1992. The “D” denotes the county in which it was registered in, again in this case the “D” is for “Dublin” and finally the “12345” denotes a sequence in which a make is registered in that county so in this case the vehicle was the 12,345th vehicle registered in Dublin in 1992. Simple right? Wrong! It has changed again! Since January 2013 the Irish number plates have took another turn but thankfully nothing major! The new number plates will read something like this, 131-D-12345. From the first 3 digit number the first 2 digits denote the year of the vehicle, in this case “13” is “2013”. The last digit will always be a “1” or a “2”. “1” is for a vehicle registered between “January” and “June” and a “2” denotes a vehicle regsitered between “July” and “December”. So this vehicle example was registered between January and June 2013. The “D” is the same as previous denoting “Dublin” and the number sequence at the end again is the same as previous denoting its registered number amount.

In 1991 the number plates became part of the European standards guidelines, you will know these as they have a blue patch in the top left hand corner with 12 gold stars of the European flag and then “IRL” stating it is an Irish vehicle.

So that’s how it works, now, for you “guess the county” fans for the used cars in Ireland, here’s a headstart:

]]>http://www.everythingmotoring.com/irish-number-plates-explained/feed/0Truck Driver Safety – Essential Tipshttp://www.everythingmotoring.com/truck-driver-safety-essential-tips/
http://www.everythingmotoring.com/truck-driver-safety-essential-tips/#respondFri, 12 May 2017 12:45:06 +0000http://217.199.187.199/everythingmotoring.com/?p=301Moving around in a gigantic vehicle on a busy route is not the same as driving your personal car, and the risks associated with it aren’t the same either. The negligence on the driver’s part could be catastrophic for both the driver and the drivers and passengers of nearby vehicles despite the size and structure […]

]]>Moving around in a gigantic vehicle on a busy route is not the same as driving your personal car, and the risks associated with it aren’t the same either. The negligence on the driver’s part could be catastrophic for both the driver and the drivers and passengers of nearby vehicles despite the size and structure of their vehicles.

Becoming a Truck Driver

The most common duties of a truck driver (lorry driver) include transporting raw material to industrial areas for production, finished goods to warehouse, distribution, and customer service and sales. Some truck owners drive themselves while some others lease these vehicles to contractors.

It is however essential to know the basics of driving and also the difference between heavy goods vehicles and personal transportation.

Having a car license and being over 18 years of age are the two basic requirements for anyone willing to become a truck driver. Not only that but also a professional certification of competence (CPC) has to be acquired in order to be eligible for driving heavy goods vehicles. This is for those individuals who drive trucks as their careers and that too full time (part time drivers should meetthe prerequisites too). For driving a coach, lorry, or a bus, these basic requirements help ensure that the training of the drivers is complete and that they are fully aware of the road safety tips and techniques.

In order to acquire driver’s CPC (Certificate of professional Competence), the drivers need to apply for it, pass four tests for the needed qualification, complete the training session, and attend the periodic training. This training session has to be attended every 5 years (35 hours) to stay up to the mark with the latest trends and standards. It is also important to sign a declaration after an interval of five years to show that you’re physically fit and the medical conditions allow you to stay with the profession of driving trucks/ coaches/ buses. This is all done till a person reaches the age of 45 years and after that, the driver has to provide medical records and renew the license each year till they reach the age of 65.

HGV License

HGV or Heavy goods Vehicle license is the one acquired to drive heavy vehicles for the purpose of transportation and transporting goods and various other similar purposes. The vehicles over 3,500 kilograms and trailers of the weight of 750 kilograms are included in this category of heavy goods vehicles.

An HGV license requires the candidate to be of an eligible age (above 18 years) and pass the basic driving test as a prerequisite. The training commonly takes 4 to 5 days (depending upon the experience and performance) and one of the common perks is the starting salary that could be ranging around 25k annually with subsequent increments.

Ensure Truck Safety

Truck driving is one of the dangerous jobs for the fact that the larger a vehicle is, the more difficult it is to manage, maneuver, and maintain. Also, the safety of the driver and goods carried by vehicle, and of the nearby drivers and vehicles are a big concern. When transporting goods at a high speed on long routes, there is a great risk of accidents. The following are a few tips that can help with that:

Start with Self Care

It’s not your routine trip to the grocery, it is a long route you’re taking and for that you need to be sharp and present-minded. It is essential to eat and sleep properly before you get behind the wheel. Also, one of the major threats to safety is drunk driving. So avoid drinking when you know you’ll be on the road in the morning.

Plan for Weather

It’s a good idea to check on weather updates before leaving for the transportation of goods on your truck. Whether or not it’s a long route, make sure you’re updated and prepared for the weather conditions. Also, it is important to carefully consider speed adjustments on wet roads and slippery slopes (if any). In bad weather (rain or snow), it is advisable to let your indicators glow for a good 4 to 5 seconds before you plan to change lanes and track. Also be cautious when taking hilly routes.

Load According To Capacity

It is often seen that overloaded trucks are victims of accidents on long routes. Thus, it is important to follow the load limit in each vehicle according to its capacity so that it’s easy to manage and carry the weight. It is also imperative for fuel economy to stack up the cargo according to the limits and not exceed them.

Maintenance of the Vehicles

No one can doubt the importance of vehicle maintenance, especially one which is in regular use. The maintenance of heavy vehicles is extremely important for the safety of the driver and the nearby properties and passersby.

Watch Out for Danger Zones

It does not have to be a restricted area marked as a danger zone. It is dangerous to drive at a high speed during busy hours near work zones, and at turnings. It is also dangerous to drive very close to other vehicles let alone high speeding in close proximity to them.

Truck drivers can easily ensure the safety of their lives and that of the people driving nearby, and also the safety of goods they’re carrying by being mindful of the important considerations.

]]>http://www.everythingmotoring.com/truck-driver-safety-essential-tips/feed/0Beginner’s Tips for Surviving Car Auctionshttp://www.everythingmotoring.com/beginners-tips-surving-car-auctions/
Fri, 12 May 2017 10:52:15 +0000http://217.199.187.199/everythingmotoring.com/?p=271What do you know about car auctions? If you’re picturing a motoring version of Bargain Hunt then unfortunately you’re mistaken: there are no experts to guide you – but thankfully no red or blue anoraks to wear either. That’s why The Insider is stepping in to guide you with some straightforward tips on how to […]

]]>What do you know about car auctions? If you’re picturing a motoring version of Bargain Hunt then unfortunately you’re mistaken: there are no experts to guide you – but thankfully no red or blue anoraks to wear either.

That’s why The Insider is stepping in to guide you with some straightforward tips on how to get a good deal at car auctions in Northern Ireland. If they pay off, you don’t need to thank me: just send me a cheque in the mail.

It’s not just for trade…

A recent survey by Manheim Auctions revealed that 85 per cent of motorists don’t even think about visiting car auctions: many believe it would be too intimidating; while others think they are only for trade customers.

On the contrary: many sales are actually held in the evenings so people can come along after work: and you can prepare ahead of time by visiting the car auction’s website so you know what to expect.

There is money to be saved…

In fact, there’s a lot of money to save. Imagine you’re a Ford dealership and you’ve found yourself landed with a car from another car maker because of a part exchange: clearly you’d want to get rid of that vehicle as quickly as possible. To do this, dealers will typically turn to car auctions in Northern Ireland to get rid of part exchange models and even old stock. As such, you could potentially save hundreds.

Be prepared…

Before you get to the car auction make sure you know exactly what car you want to buy and how much you think it is worth after scouting prices with dealers online. You can see how these vehicles traditionally fair at car auctions to assess how much you should bid.

Check the vehicle…

Make sure you arrive at the auction house early and carry out checks on the vehicles you’re interested in. Treat it just like any other used car purchase where you’d want to check under the bonnet and for any excessive wear and tear.

View the small print…

Check the terms and conditions carefully at each auction house so you understand exactly what its fees are. Some auction houses will require a deposit for the vehicle and the full balance within a 48hr period. Also ask yourself – how much is my car worth?

Factor in all costs…

Don’t overlook the extra costs of the vehicle such as car insurance. Factor these costs into your budget when you make a bid.

Set a budget…

Make sure you know what the vehicle is worth and what you can afford: and don’t go above this level. Whatever your budget is, stick to it: and don’t get swept along by the auction atmosphere. Make sure you’re clear when bidding too: and don’t make any uncharacteristic movements that could be perceived as a bid.

]]>Black Box Car Insurance Guidehttp://www.everythingmotoring.com/black-box-car-insurance-guide/
http://www.everythingmotoring.com/black-box-car-insurance-guide/#respondFri, 12 May 2017 10:49:54 +0000http://217.199.187.199/everythingmotoring.com/?p=268“Big Brother is watching you…” The famous quote from author George Orwell in his book 1984 wasn’t written with Northern Ireland car insurance in mind: but it certainly applies to its most modern form – black box car insurance. This new form of telematics actually monitors your driving style and behaviour with the intention being […]

The famous quote from author George Orwell in his book 1984 wasn’t written with Northern Ireland car insurance in mind: but it certainly applies to its most modern form – black box car insurance.

This new form of telematics actually monitors your driving style and behaviour with the intention being that better drivers are rewarded with lower premiums. Find Car Insurance in Belfast.

“Perhaps one did not want to be loved so much as to be understood.”

Black box car insurance is perhaps more straightforward than it sounds. It sees a black box fitted into your car and it is used to assess statistics such as the speeds you travel at; how harshly you brake and accelerate and take corners; and the times of day at which you travel.

“The best books… are those that tell you what you know already.”

Clearly if you speed, brake/accelerate harshly; and travel during peak hours; then you’re considered more of a danger to insurers and your premiums would be higher: but if you drive carefully then you’re likely to be rewarded. The data reaches the insurance provider via GPS.

“We shall meet in the place where there is no darkness…”

Some black box insurance policies are designed for young drivers with curfews in mind: if they stay off the road during the night-time, when accidents frequently occur among “boy racers”, then premiums will be lower.

“Confession is not betrayal…”

Statistics from the Association of British Insurers show that drivers aged from 17- to 24-years-old are three times more likely to be involved in catastrophic claims than other drivers. This means that young motorists are punished as a group because of the reputation of their peers: even if their own driving is just fine.

Black box car insurance in Northern Ireland attempts to address this. Rather than judging everyone based on statistics, it actually records driver behaviour and so the premiums you receive will accurately reflect your profile. Just bear in mind that you’ll probably have to wait a year or more to see these discounts: once you have proven yourself as a driver.

It’s also worth noting that this form of insurance won’t work for everyone. For example, if you have a particularly high mileage; or have to drive at night because of your working hours; then chances are your premiums could be pushed up even higher. Indeed these policies can be more expensive initially too. So think about your circumstances and weigh up black box insurance alongside traditional policies.

“If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—for ever.”

OK… I’ll admit that quote doesn’t work here! But if you do want a picture of the future, then black box insurance is definitely it: according to the British Insurance Brokers’ Association, sales of the policies have leapt by five times over the last two years: and it is expected around 500,000 policies will be sold during the next couple of years alone.

For more on cheap car insurance in Northern Ireland, check out the listings at Everything Motoring.

It’s also worth noting that this form of car insurance won’t work for everyone. For example, if you have a particularly high mileage; or have to drive at night because of your working hours; then chances are your premiums could be pushed up even higher. Indeed these policies can be more expensive initially too. So think about your circumstances and weigh up black box insurance alongside traditional policies.

“If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—for ever.”

OK… I’ll admit that quote doesn’t work here! But if you do want a picture of the future, then black box insurance is definitely it: according to the British Insurance Brokers’ Association, sales of the policies have leapt by five times over the last two years: and it is expected around 500,000 policies will be sold during the next couple of years alone.

]]>http://www.everythingmotoring.com/black-box-car-insurance-guide/feed/0Road Safety Tipshttp://www.everythingmotoring.com/road-safety-tips/
http://www.everythingmotoring.com/road-safety-tips/#respondFri, 12 May 2017 10:46:08 +0000http://217.199.187.199/everythingmotoring.com/?p=265As easy as it may seem, driving still poses a risk of hazards to our health and our lives on the odd occasion.Reading about fatal accidents on the roads is an all too common sight and the result is usually due to poor knowledge of road safety techniques. Being a safe driver isn’t a difficult […]

]]>As easy as it may seem, driving still poses a risk of hazards to our health and our lives on the odd occasion.Reading about fatal accidents on the roads is an all too common sight and the result is usually due to poor knowledge of road safety techniques. Being a safe driver isn’t a difficult thing to do and is done just by controlling a few aspects. This includes:

Speed – Speed is often one of the main reasons why people crash and receive serious injuries. The speed limits of 30 or 40mph in urban areas and 60/70mph in the countryside were implemented because these are often the top limits as to which we can maintain control of the car. It’s always a good idea to stick within these limits as they are put in place to maximise safety in certain areas especially in the countryside. Ireland is predominantly a rural country which means many country roads are narrow and have tight bends. Driving around these areas at high speed is extremely dangerous with hazards on either side of the road meaning that sticking to the speed limits is essential at all times.

Be Alert – With hazards always lining the roads, it means that drivers will always need to be alert behind the wheel and avoid any distractions no matter where they might come from. For example, electronic devices such as mobile phones are one item that can be a massive distraction especially if we are talking to someone on the phone. Being on a call can distract our eyes and ears so it’s best to leave any calls until you stop or pull over if it is an urgent matter. Alongside that, driving along when you are tired is also a big problem. Our reactions speeds and attention span dwindles the more tired we get so making a trip late at night should only be done if the driver is wide awake and fully alert.

Mechanical Checks: Sometimes accidents aren’t always caused by the driver but the car especially if it has a mechanical issue that is lurking. It only takes a small problem such as a flat tire or worn brakes to affect the base issues of a car such as its handling or ability to stop. If these issues are unattended, it can lead to some serious problems and elevate the risk of an accident. Rather than taking a chance, it is always a smart idea to check tire pressures, brake pads and the oil level to check that the car is running ok and that it won’t prove to be a risk to drivers.

By following these basic safety tips, it will help reduce the chances of an accident significantly further down the line and ensure that you always get from A- B without any major dramas or issues.

]]>http://www.everythingmotoring.com/road-safety-tips/feed/0How to tell if a caravan has been stolenhttp://www.everythingmotoring.com/tell-caravan-stolen/
http://www.everythingmotoring.com/tell-caravan-stolen/#respondFri, 12 May 2017 10:03:26 +0000http://217.199.187.199/everythingmotoring.com/?p=228Think you’ve suffered a few holiday nightmares in your time? Well just imagine looking forward to a caravan holiday all year only to finally make it on to the road and find you are pulled over by a police officer and told the caravan is stolen. It’s a risk for anyone buying caravans in Northern […]

]]>Think you’ve suffered a few holiday nightmares in your time? Well just imagine looking forward to a caravan holiday all year only to finally make it on to the road and find you are pulled over by a police officer and told the caravan is stolen.

It’s a risk for anyone buying caravans in Northern Ireland: but there are a few checks you can carry out that will help to indicate if the caravan is stolen. Here are some tips.

Is there damage?

Unfortunately there are no alarms that will go off and highlight any tell-tale signs of theft: but there are some obvious marks to look for. As an example, look for damage around the hitch or on the tyres and wheel rims as this could indicate that a security device has been removed forcibly.

Check for receipts

Just as if you were buying used cars in Northern Ireland you’d look for a vehicle history, make sure when you buy caravans in Northern Ireland you see receipts and documents relating to ownership and the caravan’s service history. Be cautious of twin-axle caravans that are being sold on the cheap: they tend to be favourites with caravan thieves.

Think about the location

Be suspicious if you are not invited to the seller’s home or premises to view the caravan: especially if it is not being kept in an authorised compound. Another sign that something isn’t quite right is if the seller is reluctant to arrange a convenient time to meet and show you the caravan.

Take advantage of the services that are there to help

There are services that can help you check a caravan’s status before you make a purchase.

The first is the CRis Enquiry Service. It can identify a caravan that has been reported as stolen and can examine the age of newer models and whether there are any outstanding payments on caravans that date back to 1992.

You should check that the details of the caravan that have been given to you by the seller match those on the CRis registration document. Any caravans that have been built after 1992 and don’t have a CRis identification are certainly worthy of suspicion: and with caravans dating back further you should just be extra careful in ensuring the seller is providing you with extensive evidence.

Theftcheck is another large computerised caravan register that has been set up by the Caravan Club. It was launched in 1988 and has helped with the recovery of numerous caravans.

All you have to do is call the Theftcheck Service with the make, model, serial number and year and it will run the details through the database to see if there is a match. Of course this doesn’t mean that if the caravan is not on the list it is definitely not stolen: but it’s certainly massively reassuring.